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Entertainment • TV series

Bonanza

Bonanza is an American Western television series that aired on NBC from 1959 to 1973.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bonanza is an American Western television series that aired on NBC from 1959 to 1973. Set in the 1860s near Virginia City, Nevada, it follows the Cartwright family and their life on the Ponderosa Ranch. The series is notable for its long run and for being the first Western televised in colour.

Premise

Bonanza centres on the Cartwright family and their ranching life on the Ponderosa near Virginia City, Nevada. Episodes typically combine frontier adventure with family and community conflicts.

Cast and characters

The main family includes Ben Cartwright and his three sons: Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe. Lorne Greene played Ben Cartwright, and Michael Landon played Little Joe.

Broadcast history

The series premiered on NBC in 1959 and ended in 1973. Its 14-season run made it one of the longest-running live-action American television series.

Production and setting

Bonanza is set in the American West in the 1860s and is associated with Nevada ranch life. It is also noted for being the first Western televised in colour.

Key facts

  • Bonanza aired on NBC from 1959 to 1973, spanning 14 seasons and 431 episodes.
  • The series follows the Cartwright family, led by Ben Cartwright, on the Ponderosa Ranch near Virginia City, Nevada.
  • It is recognized as the first Western television series broadcast in colour.
  • Lorne Greene played Ben Cartwright, and Michael Landon played Little Joe Cartwright.
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Canadian context

Bonanza aired in Canada through North American television distribution and remains familiar to Canadian viewers as a classic American Western series.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bonanza about?
It is about the Cartwright family, led by Ben Cartwright, as they run the Ponderosa Ranch near Virginia City, Nevada, and deal with frontier and family problems.
How many seasons of Bonanza are there?
Bonanza has 14 seasons.
Who played Little Joe on Bonanza?
Michael Landon played Little Joe Cartwright.
When did Bonanza end?
Bonanza ended on January 16, 1973.
Where was Bonanza filmed?
The provided sources identify the series setting as near Virginia City, Nevada, and one episode source notes filming at Chavez Ravine and Elysian Park in Los Angeles, California.
Who was the father on Bonanza?
Ben Cartwright, played by Lorne Greene, was the father and patriarch of the Cartwright family.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonanza
    Supports: Original run dates, season count, setting, and Ben Cartwright as family patriarch
  2. The Interviews: An Oral History of Television — https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/shows/bonanza
    Supports: Fourteen seasons, character names, cast, and note that it was the first Western televised in colour
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052451/
    Supports: Series premise about Ben Cartwright and his sons running a Nevada ranch
  4. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/bonanza/1030242320/
    Supports: Fourteen seasons and Nevada/Virginia City setting
  5. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKAPP0g5GNU
    Supports: Example episode page noting filming locations in Chavez Ravine and Elysian Park, Los Angeles